What's There to do Around Here?

Expected Outcome:

Young people will identify a variety of activities that are fun, safe, and legal which do not involve drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

Focus Scripture: Matthew 6:33 (NRSV)

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Materials Needed:

Chalk board, white board, or flip chart with markers

Tips for Youth Leaders

Whether you live in a large city, a suburb, or a small rural town, you have probably heard the complaint, “There’s nothing to do around here on weekends but drink or get high.” Sometimes it might sound different, “If you don’t like to drink, you end
up home alone watching TV on Saturday night.” Whatever the words, the question is the same, what is there to do around here that is fun?

Almost any activity can be done with or without using drugs or alcohol. Young people need to explore what makes the activity fun itself so that they can discern that drugs and alcohol aren’t needed. The fun may be because the activity is done with
friends, because it is active, because it feels a little risky, because it makes you feel good and because of many other possible reasons. It is important for youth leaders to keep asking the question, “Is the activity fun, safe, and legal?”

Activity Directions

Step 1 - Gather the youth into small groups. Provide each group with a flip chart or large sheet of paper. Ask them to generate a list of activities that are fun, safe, legal, and do not involve the use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Ask
them to think about:

Games to play – Things to do

Places to go – Items to collect

Things to make – Ways to volunteer

Step 2 – Bring everyone back together and display all the lists. The group may even come up with new ones as you discuss them. (While it’s most effective if your group comes up with its own list of activities, there are many ideas on the
following page for you to try that were suggested by a group of young people.) Encourage the youth to circle the ones they think would be most fun to do and plan some activities for the next few weeks.

Step 3 – ConclusionMany times young people feel that adults in general or those within the church are opposed to fun, pleasure, or a good time. This is an opportunity to answer the question “What does our Faith tell us about having fun?”

Go campingGo canoeingGo horseback ridingTalk to friendsGo fishingTake a bike rideGo bird-watchingPlay with a petStar gazeDo aerobicsDraw or paintPut together a hobby kitOrganize a progressive partyWrite
and film a videoCall a relativeClean your roomGrow plantsGo to church activitiesMeet with your youth groupLearn a languageLift weightsListen to musicGo roller blading/skatingGo an a photography hikePlay
a musical instrumentPlay miniature golfGo boatingPractice skateboardingMeditateTake a nature walkWash someone’s carWrite a letter to a friend or relativeGo swimingRead a bookOrganize a group singPrayPlan
a scavenger huntWatch the sun rise or setWrite a poem or storyTake a hikeBuild and fly a kite

Items To Collect

Sports cardsCoinsDollsStampsTropical fishRocksWood carvingsAntiques

Things to Make

ScrapbookPut together a puzzleDinner for the familyAssemble a hobby modelHome made pizzaLegos creationCookies or a cake

Volunteer Opportunities

Church nurseryWork on a Habitat for Humanity projectDay care centerAdopt a grandparentSenior citizen centerCommunity food banksTutor younger students